Unlucky seven? Wrexham aim to buck bizarre trend

Wrexham sit 17th after 12 games but have matched last season's points tally at this stage; Parkinson hopes to reverse the trend of Championship sides struggling after narrowly missing the play-offs.

Phil Parkinson is determined to help Wrexham buck an unusual statistical trend: over the past 15 Championship seasons, only Middlesbrough (2022-23) finished in the top half the year after ending seventh and missing the play-offs.

Wrexham achieved their highest-ever league finish of seventh last season but fell agonisingly short of the play-offs after a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough on the final day. This season they currently sit 17th with 14 points from 36 available, though Parkinson noted they have matched their points tally from the same stage last term.

Parkinson acknowledged the mental challenge of narrowly missing out but insisted it is up to his side to reverse the trend. Wrexham return to action against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Friday, with Middlesbrough and Wolves to follow in a demanding week. The Sheffield United fixture marks almost exactly five years since co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney attended their first Wrexham match, a 3-2 loss at Maidenhead in the National League.